the beginning after the end perfect duo

Severed

"Good, we're stuck now. Thanks, everybody," Elijah said, voice dry with disbelief. "You couldn't hold off your punches, could you? You really want us here." He paused, then jabbed a finger toward Brald. "Yeah, I mean you, Brald. Those scorch marks look like your work."

"I would never ignore my team's safety," Brald shot back, chin high. "And I won't let a mere child question my decisions. Have some respect."

"Enough, Brald," Kriol cut in, voice weary but firm. "He's just a kid. We're in this together now. All we can do is hope there's another exit—somewhere deeper in."

"I find it very... convenient... that we're sealed in, Brald," Reginald said, his gaze steady as a drawn blade. His eyes flicked toward Kriol for just a heartbeat. "If anything goes wrong, know that you'll be the first to regret it. I don't want to waste my strength on you while beasts crawl in the dark. We'll talk once we're out."

My own party stood silent. Arthur, Lucas, and I stood shoulder to shoulder, exchanging glances heavy with the same thought: This place is worse than we expected.

I wouldn't have brought us in unless I was sure it'd go smoothly. The only reason I agreed was because Nico was interested—and I'd figured I could pull him out before things spiraled. Now? That option was gone.

"This doesn't look promising, does it?" Arthur murmured, low enough for just us. "Keep your eyes on that self-appointed leader. He's a liability. He'll sacrifice anyone for a win, mark my words. You're the only ones I trust to keep us all in one piece."

"Oooh," Lucas drawled, "is someone getting emotional?"

I let out a laugh, too loud, too sudden, and instantly caught Arthur's knee in my gut.

"You kind of deserved it, Tom," Sylvia said as she passed by. And as usual, I couldn't feel her mana signature. I'd gotten used to it... but I still suspected her, of course.

"Yeah, yeah," I grunted, rubbing my stomach. "Now we've gotta go deeper. Let's make sure everyone gets out clean. It's our last dungeon. We'd like a clean report—as usual."

"Don't worry, Jasmine," Mira said.
"I do worry," Jasmine replied quietly. "This time, it feels... settled. Like a trap that's already sprung. Something's off with the energy down here. It's... waiting."

"What do you mean, 'last dungeon'?" Elijah turned to us. "What kind of runs have you even done?"

"Focus on the mission in front of you," Lucas said, not looking at him. "Not ours."

"Guys, we have to move!" I shouted, a fresh wave of unease prickling my neck. "Those Batrunners will be back soon, and I don't want to be here when they are. Move—now!"

"I agree with the kid," Reginald rumbled. "Let's keep the peace until we're out. Forward."

We fell into formation and pressed on. The tunnel sloped downwards, the air growing thicker, hotter, tasting of metal and rot. Soon, it opened into a vast, oppressive chamber. The ceiling was lost in shadow, but the floor was the true horror—a pockmarked landscape of gaping, dark holes, each large enough to swallow a person whole. The heat was a physical weight, and the decaying smell was stronger here, cloying and wrong.

I know this place.
The memory was a cold spike in my gut. The Worm's Maw.
And I know what waits here.
So we have to be perfect.

"Tight formation!" I barked, my voice cutting through the heavy air. "Samantha, crystal ready—strongest barrier spell, on my mark. Not a second late. Your timing is life or death here."